Audi Q8 prototype without camouflage spotted in Germany

It looks like that Audi is in the final stages of finalizing its new Audi Q8 sports utility vehicle. While the German premium carmaker has yet to reveal the looks of the production version of the new Audi A8, there have already been quite a number of spy images and videos of the upcoming SUV, albeit in a camouflaged form. Just recently, though, the Audi Q8 was spotted on the road, and this time without any camouflage.

Seeing a near-production version -- or even a prototype model – of the Audi Q8 is a welcome development, considering that fact that the premium carmaker isn’t nice enough to reveal this early the complete appearance of the SUV. A member of the AutoPareri forum was lucky enough to see the Audi Q8 SUV up close while being driven somewhere in Germany (based from the German registration plates). However, this person was only able to take a spy shot of the Audi Q8’s rear end and most of its sides. This may be because this member was mesmerized by the sudden appearance of the Audi Q8, and wasn’t able to take several shots of the SUV.

Despite this single photo showing only the rear end of the Audi Q8, there are already a lot of details that could be extracted. For instance, the image reveals the design of the Q8’s sleek rear lights and its roof spoiler, as well as its massive bumper diffuser with two integrated exhaust pipes. When compared to the rear end of the Audi Q8 Concept, the Q8 spotted on the road has a number of design similarities. There are also several differences, including the LED light strip on the rear door of the hatchback. But as we all know, production versions are usually subtler in terms of design than concepts. That should hold true with the upcoming Audi Q8 SUV.

Audi has already confirmed that it will commence production of the Audi Q8 in Bratislava, Slovakia in 2018. The assembly site in Bratislavia, Slovakia has been manufacturing the Q7s ever since 2005. Audi has disclosed that the Q8 would feature state-of-the-art technologies, including an array of new assistance and infotainment systems.

It is widely expected that the Audi Q8 will be one of the carmaker’s most hefty priced vehicles ever in production, with a price tag of around $100,000. The upcoming launch of the new Audi Q8 is part of the carmaker’s plans to expand its SUV family to seven models by 2019, with these units expected to account for almost half of Audi’s total worldwide volume.